Events are being cancelled from one tip of Nova Scotia to the other, now that the province has put a ban on entering the woods.
Capes 100 is an annual running race that goes through trails in Mabou, Cape Breton, with some that run 160 kilometers.
Race Director Jodi Isenor tells us the ban has “taken the wind out of a lot of people’s sails”.
“It’s impacted 250 plus runners, plus 60 volunteers, plus the communities of Mabou, Inverness and surrounding area, Port Hood,” says Isenor.
He says, the event brings in a lot of money locally with a minimum of 400 extra people in town – from all over the world.
“People arrived [Tuesday] after we cancelled it. One drove from Alberta, a couple arrived at the airport from the UK and another couple from Italy,” adds Isenor.
There is a registration fee, and many, Isenor says, are deferring their payment until next year.
“Out of the 100ish emails I’m going through now, 98 per cent of them …they feel very sorry for us. And we feel sorry for everyone involved,” says Isenor.
Southwestern Nova Scotia also taking a hit
The annual ATV Rally in Digby has also been cancelled.
In an emailed statement to our newsroom, President of the Digby County ATV Association Keith Weagle says, although they are very disappointed in the ban, they understand why it is in place.
“We do understand the need and support it 100 per cent. We have an annual ATV Rally called the ATV Invasion, which happens in conjunction with the Digby Scallop Days Festival,” says Weagle. “This year would have marked our third event, which has seen great growth and interest since it began in 2023.”
This event sees people come in from all over the Maritimes.
Weagle adds, the woods ban will not only have an impact on ATV tourism but will delay trail work ongoing for the past six months in Digby County.
Bridgewater Kayak Launch delayed
As for the south shore, a new accessible kayak launch has been delayed.
Miller Point Peace Park is closed, so the grand opening scheduled for Saturday, has been cancelled.
Shakespeare Show in Halifax to go on
A positive story for one very popular outdoor show in Halifax.
Shakespeare By the Sea can continue its performances of Shakespeare plays in Point Pleasant Park after acquiring a permit.
Drew Douris-O’Hara tells us, they cancelled their first show amid some confusion around the ban and if they couldn’t continue, it would have detrimental for their not-for-profit that has been drawing in audiences for decades.
“Not to overstate it, it could have very well meant that the company totally ended. This is a like, really precarious time in the summer for us because we are seasonal company and the biggest portion of our audiences come in August,” says Douris-O’Hara.
He says municipal and provincial governments helped them get past the roadblock, although there are certain rules in place.
The woods ban is in effect until October 15 -alongside the burn ban- both come with fines of $25,000.
